Ministry issues reasoned conclusion on EIA report for OL1, OL2 nuke plants

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on Friday submitted a reasoned conclusion on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on the Olkiluoto 1 and 2 nuclear power plant units of Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO).

The reasoned conclusion completes the EIA procedure for the project, said the ministry and TVO in separate press releases.

In the reasoned conclusion, the coordinating authority stated its view on the environmental impacts of the project. The conclusion is based on the assessment report, statements and opinions issued on it, and the coordinating authority’s own evaluation.

The options considered in the EIA procedure were the lifetime extension of the plant units at current output up until 2058 and the lifetime extension at increased output up until 2058.

In addition, the continued use at current output until the expiry of the valid operating licence in 2038 was examined.

Increasing the output would raise the nominal electrical power of the plant units from 890 MW to a maximum of 970 MW.

The project was also subject to the transboundary environmental impact assessment specified in the so-called Espoo Convention.

In its reasoned conclusion, the ministry stated that the assessment report meets the requirements of the EIA legislation. T

he options examined were found not to have the kind of significant adverse environmental impacts that could not be accepted, prevented or mitigated to an acceptable level.

For all options considered, the environmental impacts of the plant units would continue largely unchanged from the current situation.

The environmental impacts of increasing the output are estimated to be slightly higher than the impacts of extending the service life alone.

The most significant impact from the nuclear power plant during its normal operation is the thermal load of cooling water in the nearby sea area. The project options will have a considerable effect on the energy market and the regional economy.